I am a birder and Digiscoper using a Panasonic GX8 Compact Camera and a Leica 82 apo Spotting Scope.

Sunday, 5 January 2014

Narfolk

As always I started early on the patch but it was as quiet as id ever seen it, absolutely nothing even on the sea.
So moved onto Breydon Water, tide was on its way in and there was an amazing amount of birds on show, all distant but wow what sight. A Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk put the whole lot up a couple of times. Birds on show were Avocets, Grey Plover, Bar and Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Redshank and Golden Plover. Ducks were thousands of Wigeon, smaller numbers of Teal, Pintail and Mallard.

Next to Lodham Airfield for the cracking flock of Bewick Swans, today the number was up to an impressive 79 Bewicks , most ive ever seen in 1 flock, just love it...

There were also 31 Egyptian Geese and and 20 Whooper Swans.

Next onto one of our favourite places for lunch, Horsey Mill, I was hoping for Cranes.
We sat having lunch whilst I carefully checked the 500 Pink footed Geese that were in the area, unfortunately nothing of any interest.

After an hour or so I Finally spotted 5 Common Cranes in flight, BINGO woohoo and then immediately my other target species for the day ring tailed Hen Harrier, what 2 great birds.
The Cranes landed out of site distantly and I took my eyes of the Harrier so now I went back to checking the Geese and the big flock of Golden plover that were there. Other birds on site Common Buzzard and 3 Marsh Harriers. Eventually the Cranes walked out into the open ok very distant but really nice all the same.

Rach was getting cold so It was time for home but to me it was still early so managed to persuade Rach to go for a walk to Haddiscoe Marsh (she warmed up in the car) ;-) where the birds were great, again always distant here but the 2 Rough Legged Buzzard were still present as well as 2 Common Buzzard, 4 Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, 3 Barn Owl and 3 Little Egret. 3 Bearded Tits were a real bonus. Finally 4 Chinease Water Deer ended a great day.